The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge’s annual controlled deer hunt is currently underway, and will run through Thursday, Nov. 17.

The Elk hunts will be held November 21-25, November 28-December 1, December 5-8, December 12-16, and January 9-13, 2023.

Some areas of the Refuge which are normally open to the public may be closed temporarily during the controlled hunts which are done in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Officials say these hunts are an important part of the management of the animals on the Refuge.

Closed areas will change for each hunt. Further hunt closure information will be available on the Refuge website at: www.fws.gov/refuge/wichita_mountains, Facebook, or by contacting the Refuge Visitor Center at 580-429-2197.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, and has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system.